Research has shown us that our minds--and more specifically our subconscious minds--control our lives. We are what we think or believe. Study after study has demonstrated there is a definite mind-body connection, and the mind can help us overcome numerous problems including health problems. Stories abound of "miraculous" healings which have taken place because someone programmed their mind to think about their condition differently.

You may feel able to make positive changes on your own with a little knowledge and some resources. You can find a ton of information online or by going to your local library.

If you need help, then there are many hypnotherapists, NLP practitioners, and coaches that can be hired to work with you.

Whichever route you choose, the one element that is crucial is your attitude. For any method to be successful in creating change in the subconscious, you have to want the change and to believe totally in its success.

You cannot succeed without this belief.

While every method is different, there are three steps that each uses to facilitate reprogramming your mind.

1) To achieve relaxation, you have to take your brain to Alpha level. This is the level where you can "speak" directly with the subconscious mind. Alpha level brainwaves are experienced first thing in the morning as you first awaken and the last thing at night just before you go to sleep. In Alpha level, you are awake (conscious) and aware of your surroundings, but your subconscious is fully alert, and you are most responsive to learning and accepting new ideas.

You can achieve Alpha level by practicing relaxation techniques.

2) Picture your goal as an image or movie with you "in the moment." It must be in the present, so you feel as though you are living it. Use all of your senses to make it as real as possible. Tell a story, and if you can, add some humor to make the experience even better. Your subconscious loves stories, and it loves humor. By fully engaging as many of your senses as possible, it becomes more real in your mind. Make the scenes really bright and colorful. Get specific with the experience. Hear the sounds, Feel the emotions. Touch and taste things.

When visualizing always answer these questions:

What can you see?

What can you hear?

What can you feel? (Physical touch as well as emotions.)

What can you smell?

What can you taste?

3) While visualizing yourself living your goal, it is also important to affirm your dream. You can either say your affirmations out loud or just think them. To make them even more powerful and effective, write them down and display them wherever you will see them regularly throughout your day. You can also record yourself saying them out loud and listen to them first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Affirmations must be:

In the present tense.

Said with positive conviction. (You must believe in what you are saying.)

Include emotion.

Here is an example:

"I am giving a presentation to my department and superiors on Friday. I am standing at the front of the room. I feel confident and calm. I am speaking with conviction. I know my topic. My presentation is interesting and fun to give. The audience is listening intently. They are smiling and nodding their heads as I speak. My voice is confident and easy to hear, even at the back of the room. I am standing tall wearing my favorite navy suit. I feel smart."

Repeat this exercise as often as you need to so you can begin to feel the confidence. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Prepare for the presentation and practice it as you need to build more confidence. Between your preparation, practice. Visualize yourself giving the presentation with easy. You will certainly present, then, with greater poise, and your presentation will be a big hit.

Knowing these three simple steps can help you successfully program your mind for positive change whatever that change might be. We sometimes choose change. Sometimes it is forced upon us, and we accept it reluctantly. We always have the CHOICE, however, as to how we respond to the change or challenge. Instead of viewing the change as a "problem" or "challenge" consider it an "opportunity for growth."

We are constantly growing, evolving and changing, regardless of our age or circumstance in life. The only people who don't continue to experience "opportunities for growth" are those who are dead. So while you are among the living, accept that change isn't optional, it's mandatory. The sooner you realize that the sooner you can adjust your attitude about it.

If you find that change has been difficult for you in the past, consider it a PAST problem. From now on, approach change with a sense of excitement for the opportunities that are being provided. For extra help, consider one of the techniques above. For even more help, find an expert in one of the modalities mentioned. Help is just a Google search away, after all. Take advantage of all the resources that are available to you in this modern age.